I sigh. “No.”
“Good. Then no need to fool me too. Sweetheart, this isbrilliant. It’s a two-way deal. Why should he be the only one benefiting from this arrangement?”
“Mom, we’re talking about a custody battle for a man who didn’t even know he had a daughter until a few months ago.”
She releases an exasperated breath. “And I’m talking about you choosing to scramble for the next four years instead of taking charge now.”
“Mom—”
“I know you don’t realize this now, but life is short. Twenty-year-olds are making six, seven figures a year online while you’re wasting precious years being noble.”
My stomach gives a tight, aching squeeze. I hate how she finds ways to make sense.
A chill runs through me as I look over my shoulder at Dallas and Ellie. He can’t see me out here in the dark, but he looks over anyway, as if he can sense me. “You’re right. It would be .?.?. nice.” Especially when I’m on my own again. “I’ll think about it,” I whisper.
A pause. Then another sigh. “I’ll take it. And I’ll see you next week. Do you want me to bring anything? Family heirloom or something to really sell it?”
“Please don’t.”
Her voice grows distant as she ignores me. “I’ll have to see what I’ve got .?.?.”
“I’m going now. It’s cold out here.”
“Send me links to the best hotel in town.”
“There’s just the one inn here. But I think the ranch will be opening up their guest cabins for the wedding. I’ll see if I can get you one.”
“Sounds lovely.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “Keep me posted about the other thing. I’ll call the lawyer in the meantime .?.?. you know, just in case.”
“Don’t call anyone. Case closed.”
I step back into the house. The kitchen is clean and empty. I can’t think. I can’t even feel anything but that twist in my stomach. It feels a lot like betrayal.
A lie to my grandmother.
“She’s all tucked up and ready for her bedtime story,” Dallas calls as he comes back down the stairs, a grin on his face as he enters the kitchen. It fades quickly when he sees me. “Hey, what’s the matter? Your mother can’t make it?”
I shake my head. “No, no, she’ll be here.”
He backtracks as understanding hits. “She know about the .?.?. special arrangement?”
“That it’s temporary? Yes. She’s .?.?. happy about it in fact.”
He nods slowly. “Protective of you.”
I look off to the side. “More like my .?.?. future.”
“Willow?”
I meet his eyes. Tentative and heartbroken for even considering betraying my integrity.
He steps closer, holding my gaze. “What is it?”
I swallow.
He lifts my chin. “I’ve been nothing but honest with you. And I’m respecting our deal to press pause on .?.?. this.” He looks at the space between us, then tucks my hair away. “But I’d be lying if I said you don’t look guilty as hell for something right now.”
“I promise, it’s nothing,” I whisper.
